James Ault

James Ault

Years: 

unknown

Year Hutchinson Medal awarded:

2022

Director of Ornamental Plant Research at the Chicago Botanic Garden

James Ault is a renowned American botanist and plant breeder, internationally recognized for developing innovative perennial plant cultivars—particularly Baptisia, Echinacea, Phlox, Panicum, and lilies—and for advancing horticulture through the Chicagoland Grows® plant-introduction program.

Education & Early Inspiration:

Ault discovered his interest in plants during a formative botany course at the University of Michigan, taught by prominent plant taxonomist Warren Wagner, Ph.D. After earning his undergraduate degree in botany, he earned a master’s degree in plant ecology and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in plant physiology from Louisiana State University. He was also inspired by his grandmother, who bred ferns and contributed to the Fairchild Botanic Garden.

Career at the Chicago Botanic Garden:

  • Joined the Chicago Botanic Garden and became director of Ornamental Plant Research, where he worked for more than 25 years
  • Leads breeding programs focusing on North American native plants, with a strong emphasis on ecological understanding and field exploration
  • Managed the Chicagoland Grows® plant-introduction program, which evaluates and releases new landscape plants for public and commercial use
  • Conducted major research in tissue culture propagation, plant evaluation, and plant exploration to expand the Garden’s collections (including orchids)

Key Plant Introductions:

Ault introduced more than 35 ornamental plant cultivars, many now widely grown in gardens across the United States. His major contributions include:

  • Echinacea (Coneflowers):
    • Developed the first orange coneflower, Echinacea ‘Art’s Pride’ (Arts Pride Meadowbrite™), after making more than 90 crosses to achieve the breakthrough color
    • Created the Meadowbrite™ series, expanding the palette and hardiness of hybrid coneflowers
  • Baptisia (False Indigo):
    • Developed the acclaimed PRAIRIEBLUES™ series, including Solar Flare and Twilite
    • These hybrids combine traits of multiple native species for improved vigor, color, and form
  • Phlox:
    • Introduced Phlox ‘Violet Pinwheels’ PP25884, a compact, durable ground cover

Other notable introductions:

Panicum ‘Bad Hair Day’ and numerous lilies (more than 1,500 stems in his personal breeding collection)

Breeding Philosophy:

  • Ault emphasizes respect for a plant’s natural origins, believing that understanding habitat, ecological relationships, and evolutionary adaptation leads to better garden plants.
  • He uses a “5W approach”—what, where, who, when, why—to study wild species before breeding.
  • He advocates for extensive fieldwork: “Nothing beats boots on the ground. Go out there and collect native plants.”

Awards & Recognition:

  • Named Greenhouse Grower’s 2019 Industry Achievement Award Winner, receiving the Medal of Excellence for his industry-wide impact
  • Featured speaker at major horticultural events, including the North American Lily Society’s International Lily Show & Symposium (2023)

Legacy & Impact:

  • James Ault reshaped modern perennial plant breeding. His innovations include:
  • Expanding the genetic diversity available in American horticulture
  • Elevating native species as valuable breeding material
  • Developing long-lived, garden-worthy cultivars suited to midwestern and national climates
  • Influencing both scientific and practical horticulture through research, plant exploration, and cultivar introductions

His work continues to shape the landscapes of public gardens, nurseries, and home gardens across North America.